Author delves into history in 'Pillow of Thorns'

Author Karen Cecil Smith delved deep into the history books to use accused murderer Ann K. Simpson's life as the basis for her new book, "Pillow of Thorns."

BY NASH DUNNThe Dispatch

In 1849, Ann K. Simpson killed her husband with arsenic. Or, at least that's what the people thought.And while Simpson, the first woman charged with murder in Cumberland County, was found eventually not guilty by a jury of her peers a year later, many still questioned the morality of the woman who married rich and loved nice things.Author Karen Cecil Smith delved deep into the history books to use Simpson's life as the basis for her new book, "Pillow of Thorns."The eloquent piece of historical fiction changes the main characters' names (Simpson is Maria Miller and later on Maria Stafford); however, the events and places are historical."I decided to make it into a novel and take a little more liberty with the book," said Smith, who lives in northern Davidson County. "I love history, and I wanted to make sure everything is historically correct in my book."Smith's book is based on Simpson's trial, her relationship with her husband, Alexander Simpson (Sherwood Stafford in the book), and her adventures to other parts of the country.Smith did extensive research for the book. She hopped onto a trail of information that led her to Fayetteville, then eventually Charleston, S.C. Her research also led her to a woman from St. Paul, Minn., who many people believed to be the same woman as Simpson. That woman, Ann Bilansky, also stood trial for poisoning her husband."I came to the fact that there was no way she could be the same woman," Smith said. "Both women lived in Fayetteville at one time and shared the same name, Ann, and people sensationalized it."A friend of Simpson's, a history professor, turned her on to the historic legal case."We were at a library doing research for other things, and we came across the transcript of the trial," Simpson said. "We decided to go to Fayetteville and do some research."Some of the things that interested Smith about the story are probably the same things that will fascinate readers. For instance, Simpson visited a fortune teller nearly every day, and she used that visit as her guidance and direction, Smith said."She was basically a spoiled rich girl, and she wanted to get married — hopefully to a rich man," Smith said. "She wanted to have a home of her own and have her own cook, maid and seamstress and live an eloquent lifestyle."Smith has written two books, a biography of Orlean Puckett and a children's Christmas book titled "An Old Salem Christmas." In 2009, the North Carolina Society of Historians honored "An Old Salem Christmas" with the Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award.Smith said she's writing a novel based on the life of her husband's Sicilian grandmother.Those interested in "Pillow of Thorns" can request it from their local bookstore. It is also available through online booksellers, including www.amazon.com, and through the publisher, Argus Enterprises International, of Kernersville.Smith will be present at a book signing from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Literary Book Post in Salisbury. For more information, go to www.karencecilsmith.com.Nash Dunn can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or at nash.dunn@the-dispatch.com.

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